Agnes. Oh! let me stay, and comfort her!

Soph. Romance!You girls adore a scene—as lookers on.

[Exit Sophia.]

Agnes [alone]. Well spoke the old monks, peaceful watching life’s turmoil,‘Eyes which look heavenward, weeping still we see:God’s love with keen flame purges, like the lightning flash,Gold which is purest, purer still must be.’

[Guta enters.]

Alas! Returned alone! Where has my sister been?

Guta. Thank heaven you hear alone, for such sad sight would hauntHenceforth your young hopes—crush your shuddering fancy downWith dread of like fierce anguish.You saw her bound forth: we towards her bower in hasteRan trembling: spell-bound there, before her bridal-bedShe stood, while wan smiles flickered, like the northern dawn,Across her worn cheeks’ ice-field; keenest memories thenRushed with strong shudderings through her—as the winged shaftSprings from the tense nerve, so her passion hurled her forthSweeping, like fierce ghost, on through hall and corridor,Tearless, with wide eyes staring, while a ghastly windMoaned on through roof and rafter, and the empty helmsAlong the walls ran clattering, and above her wavedDead heroes’ banners; swift and yet more swift she droveStill seeking aimless; sheer against the opposing wallAt last dashed reckless—there with frantic fingers clutchedBlindly the ribbed oak, till that frost of rageDissolved itself in tears, and like a babe,With inarticulate moans, and folded hands,She followed those who led her, as if the sunOn her life’s dial had gone back seven years,And she were once again the dumb sad childWe knew her ere she married.

Isen [entering]. As after wolf wolf presses, leaping through the snow-glades,So woe on woe throngs surging up.

Guta. What? treason?

Isen. Treason, and of the foulest. From her state she’s rudely thrust;Her keys are seized; her weeping babies pent from her:The wenches stop their sobs to sneer askance,And greet their fallen censor’s new mischance.

Agnes. Alas! Who dared to do this wrong?

Isen. Your mother and your mother’s son—Judge you, if it was knightly done.

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